CVE-2021-1232
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files on Cisco SD-WAN vManage systems through the web management interface. It affects organizations using Cisco SD-WAN vManage software for network management. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls on sensitive system files.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain access to sensitive configuration files, credentials, and network management data, potentially compromising the entire SD-WAN infrastructure and connected systems.
Likely Case
Attackers access configuration files containing network topology, device credentials, and management system details, enabling lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and access controls, impact is limited to the vManage system itself without compromising broader infrastructure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access but exploitation is straightforward once authenticated. No public exploit code available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 20.6.1 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwanvman-infodis1-YuQScHB
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest Cisco SD-WAN vManage software from Cisco's support site. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Install the update following Cisco's SD-WAN upgrade documentation. 4. Restart the vManage system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
No workarounds available
allCisco states there are no workarounds for this vulnerability
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict network access to vManage web interface to only trusted administrative networks
- Implement strict authentication controls and monitor for unusual file access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Cisco SD-WAN vManage software version via web interface or CLI. Versions prior to 20.6.1 are vulnerable.Check Version:
show version | include vManageVerify Fix Applied:
Verify software version is 20.6.1 or later and test that authenticated users cannot access arbitrary files via web interface.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in vManage logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP requests to file paths outside normal web interface patterns
- Traffic from unexpected sources to vManage web interface
SIEM Query:
source="vmanage" AND (event_type="file_access" OR http_request CONTAINS "/../../")🔗 References
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ipphone-rce-dos-U2PsSkz3
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sdwanvman-infodis1-YuQScHB
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-snort-ethernet-dos-HGXgJH8n
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-webex-distupd-N87eB6Z3
